Birth weight a negative determinant of whole body bone mineral apparent density in a group of adolescent boys.

The aim of this study was to explore the relation between birth weight and bone mass in a group of adolescent boys. This study included 44 adolescent (aged 14-20yr) boys. Anthropometric characteristics (height and weight) were measured and birth weights were obtained from the obstetric records. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body (WB) and the lumbar spine (L2-L4) were also assessed by DXA. Calculations of the bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) were completed for the WB and at the lumbar spine (L2-L4). The expressions WB BMC/height and WB BMD/height were calculated to adjust for WB bone size. Birth weight was positively correlated to body weight (r=0.37; p<0.05), body mass index (r=0.38; p<0.01), body fat percentage (r=0.44; p<0.01), and negatively associated with WB BMAD (r=-0.46; p<0.01). In conclusion, this study suggests that birth weight is a positive determinant of body weight, body mass index, and body fat percent but a negative determinant of WB BMAD in adolescent boys.